While the teams that will contest this year’s NGFNL finals might be locked in none of the final finishing positions will be confirmed for another fortnight. Churchill and Yarram look safe bets to finish as they are in positions one and two however far less certainty exists surrounding positions three though five. Any of Heyfield, despite them being docked four premiership points due to repeated league administrative failings, Traralgon Tyers United or Rosedale could yet grab the double chance that comes with finishing the season in third spot.

The Round 17 game most likely to shape the final ladder sees second placed Yarram making the trek to Heyfield who presently sit in fifth spot. After what can only be described as a tumultuous week or two Heyfield had a commanding 14 goal win over Cowwarr last weekend. Yarram too served up a dominant performance when they trounced an under-strength Sale City by over 20 goals.

After looking to have third spot parcelled up a month ago Rosedale slipped back to the pack over recent weeks. However with Heyfield stripped of four premiership points Rosedale, by virtue of having a better percentage and an easier draw than TTU, again look the team most likely to grab the all-important third spot on the ladder come seasons end. They would be expected to get the win over Cowwarr this week before closing out their season with a perfect prelude to the finals where they take on Heyfield.

Much of the interest in this week’s match will centre on the two clubs respective key forwards. Rosedale’s Brandon McDonald and the Saints Shane Morgan are presently tied on 56 goals apiece in the battle to be the leading goal kicker for season 2019. Morgan looks to have the softer finish to the season with Cowwarr taking on Glen to close out their year so McDonald is going to want a big bag Saturday to remain in the hunt for the award.

They say there are two certainties in life, death and taxes. The third used to be The Undertaker winning at Wrestelmania but since his demise at the hands of Brock Lesnar several years ago the third is now Churchill beating Gormandale at home. Since coming into the league the Cougars have never been defeated by Gormy at Gaskin Park. That is not going to change come Saturday afternoon. Aside from the margin in the senior game the main interest on the day will be whether or not Churchill’s Reserves coach Joe Whykes can kick the 11 goals he needs to reach the ton for the season.

Heyfield coach Rick Galea said his side was looking forward to the test this week with Yarram being in “red hot form”. Galea noted Yarram had a plethora of talented players with Griffin Underwood, the two Vardy’s- Dan and Ben-, Chris Bruns and Louis Rodaughan all on his radar. Galea highlighted “the offensive run and spread” of his opponents as one of the reigning premiers many weapons.

Whilst clearly wanting to chalk up a win to keep the Roos hopes of reclaiming their rightful third position on the ladder alive Galea is also keen to use the match as a measuring stick. In his first game in charge back in round 1 Yarram beat Heyfield by seven goals.

Galea felt that if his team were to stick to the “set-ups and systems that have seen us play some pretty good footy in the last month or so” they was no reason the Roos couldn’t get the win in a game he was confident would resemble “finals footy pressure and tempo”.

His opposite number Matt Scholz commented that Heyfield were “a well drilled side in great form.” Scholz commended Heyfield’s midfield depth noting they had multiple options to run through the engine room as well as having terrific book ends at either end of the ground. Scholz in particular referenced former AFL player and noted big game performer Adrian Cox as a player Yarram would need to negate. Cox was best on last week and is renowned for his ability to step up to the big occasion.

Scholz declined to reveal any specific selection changes but noted with just two weeks to go before finals that he would be looking to field his best side aiming to get some continuity before the post season commences.

The return of playing coach Michael Duncan in round 12 has seen TTU win five on the trot and surge back into premiership contention. In that time Duncan has slotted 27 majors and given what was for much of the year a make shift forward line a definitive pathway to goal. This week the Bombers take on Sale City who have in recent weeks looked merely a shell of the side who headed the table in the early part of the year.

Duncan and his charges won’t be taking City lightly despite their recent form which has seen the Dogs drop games to Heyfield then Yarram by a combined 208 points over the last two weeks. After this week’s clash with third placed TTU City face ladder leader Churchill in their final game of the season. Not only is it now a given they will miss finals for the first time in half a decade it is entirely possible they will go zero and four in their last month of footy with a score differential of over 300 points if their current form continues.

Duncan refused to write off his opponents however saying any team with “the talent of Justin McClay, Jacob Schuback, Ben Chivers and the firepower of Bohdi Walker and Nick Grainger” was always going to be a challenge.

Looking at the bigger picture Duncan was content with how his team were building toward finals. While glad to be able to recall several players from injury of late Duncan said not only was the side getting players back on the park but they were coming back fresh and in good form. With third spot on the line this week, and next when the Bombers meet Yarram, Duncan will be hoping that form will continue for a little while longer.

In the AFL the battle for eight spot is hotly contested. In the NGFNL it is simply a battle for bragging rights between Glengarry and Woodside. Glengarry have been beaten by 224, 181 and 174 points in their last three games. Whilst it seems unlikely that Woodside will match those margins it is hard to see how the Pies, bereft of any confidence, can get the win they so desperately want this week.

Wildcat coach Ryan Foat and his rucking counterpart Tom Crosby will ensure forwards Daniel Missen and Gary Jones get more than enough supply to kick the home side a winning score. With Woodside having Gormandale next week they should chalk up what will be the first of two back to back wins to close out the year. For Glengarry the club, and indeed the whole town, will be focused solely on their Under 18s with the boys being all but certainties to remain undefeated in the home and away season and short priced favourites to win the premiership.

Scott Berechree

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All match previews written by Scott Berechree. Edited versions may appear in the Latrobe Valley Express.